You're sitting at lunch with your friend Alfie. Lately Alfie has been very withdrawn and doesn't joke around like they used to do.
Do you:
[[Ask Alfie what is wrong]]
[[Decide to leave it for now and see if anything changes]]
[[Ignore the issue. He will hopefully go back to normal soon]]
<img src="https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/mobile-phone-chat-sign-icon-comic-style-message-notifications-vector-cartoon-illustration-white-isolated-background-159134615.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;"> Alfie tells you that he has been recieving messages from a classmate named Emily. She is threatening to spread rumours about them, threatening to hurt them and making fun of how they look.
Do you:
[[Ask Alfie to show you the messages]]
[[Tell Alfie to ignore the messages]]You decided to leave Alfie alone but after a week there has been no change. You notice that his phone has been recieving a lot of messages but Alfie is hesitant to reply or looks upset after opening the messages.
Do you:
[[Ask Alfie what is wrong]]
[[Check Alfie's phone when he goes the bathroom]](text-colour:red)[If you can see clear signs that your friend could be going through something it is better if you don't leave it alone. Take the time to ask your friend and check if they are ok. ]
Try one of these pathways:
[[Ask Alfie what is wrong]]
[[Decide to leave it for now and see if anything changes]]
<img src="https://www.discountsafetysignsaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/STOP_SIGN.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;"> While Alfie is in the bathroom you pick up his phone and see the messages are from Emily who is a classmate. Emily is someone you aren't friends with so you wonder why Alfie is getting messages from them. Just as you go to open the phone you hear Alfie coming back and put the phone down.
Do you:
[[Tell Alfie you looked at their phone and ask why Emily is messaging them]]
[[Ask Alfie what is wrong]]
[[Leave it and see if Alfie will tell you about the messages eventually]]
<img src="https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.62742970255e01b599712ea11784e8e4?rik=eRGqMiIk%2bn48Tg&riu=http%3a%2f%2fclipartmag.com%2fimages%2fcartoon-pictures-of-cell-phones-33.png&ehk=LmC17zz2b%2bYwywU9%2fO8RH1lnl23qav%2fFKyo8vMo9DxQ%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0" style="max-width: 100%;"> Alfie shows you the messages Emily has been sending him. The messages go back a long way and you feel angry and upset about what she is doing to your friend.
Do you:
[[Message Emily angrily and tell her to leave your friend alone]]
[[Tell Alfie you should make a record of the messages and show them to relevant school personnel]]
<img src="https://media.istockphoto.com/vectors/bullying-kid-concept-illustration-vector-id974712842?k=6&m=974712842&s=612x612&w=0&h=dpumskBvqBwWMcUS3TzpbNHI_3PckZaefVHPRMm-yg4=" style="max-width: 100%;">
(text-colour:red)[This is not helpful and is likely to make Alfie feel worse. You should take action when someone tells you they are being cyberbullied and shown you evidence. ]
Try one of these:
[[Message Emily angrily and tell her to leave your friend alone]]
[[Tell Alfie you should make a record of the messages and show them to relevant school personnel]]
<img src="https://www.discountsafetysignsaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/STOP_SIGN.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;"> At first Alfie is upset that you looked at their phone but decides to tell you what is hapening.
Alfie tells you that he has been recieving messages from Emily and she is threatening to spread rumours about them, threatening to hurt them and making fun of how they look.
Do you:
[[Ask Alfie to show you the messages]]
[[Tell Alfie to ignore the messages]]
(text-colour:red)[It is unlikely that Alfie will tell you about the messages without being asked about them. Maybe one day he would tell you but it is better to address the issues and changes in your friends behaviour early.]
Try this pathway:
[[Tell Alfie you looked at their phone and ask why Emily is messaging them]]
Or go back to the start
[[Can you help your friend affected by cyberbullying? ]]
<img src="https://www.discountsafetysignsaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/STOP_SIGN.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;"> (text-colour:red)[If you do this it normally makes the situation worse and the cyberbullying can become more extreme or make you a target. Sending messages to the cyberbully could also lead to you getting into trouble. ]
Reconsider your choice and see what happens when you:
[[Tell Alfie you should make a record of the messages and show them to relevant school personnel]]
<img src="https://www.discountsafetysignsaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/STOP_SIGN.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;"> You collect all the messages Emily has sent to Alfie and go with him to see the relevant staff at school. They are glad you came to them and start the steps to address the situation. This has solved Alfie's problem.
Congratulations! You have succesfully helped your friend!
<img src="https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.c144df2dea1fdc10ab2e7877e82a3583?rik=PTDLzAmOmmjftA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fclipart-library.com%2fimages%2fLidok995T.jpg&ehk=0ZJiZRed1Lp2cqgfUp5CuX814S8ed5uhcAWhBrl16g4%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0" style="max-width: 100%;">